First time staying at a hostel? I’m jealous. I remember the first time I walked into a hostel, back in 2005 (100 years ago) in Auckland, New Zealand. I think I said something like… “holy sh*t! And my life was changed forever.

First times are amazing, especially when they relate to travelling. Energy pumps through your veins all the time, you meet tons of new people, discover loads of free adventures and probably fall in love with travelling (and a traveller or two). Firsts are full of both kinds of surprises, good ones and less good ones. To help you experience fewer of these last ones, I whipped up the below pieces of wisdom. Let me know what you think in the comments and don’t forget to share with your travelling buddies.

pyjamas that are public friendly (c’mon! You know what I mean by that!)

What to pack

You will be sharing spaces most of the time. This means many others will use the same showers as you and sleep in the same rooms as you. Plan for that: bring flip flops, pyjamas that are public friendly (c’mon! You know what I mean by that!) and ear plugs. Consider a small flashlight (in case your phone dies or you left it behind), an extension cable in case you want to keep your charging devices close and a lock to close lockers or suitcases.

Ziplocks are so useful, they never cease to amaze me. Get a bunch, in various sizes and shapes. They don’t take up space and they are good for just about everything: store left over food and bring it to your next destination or eat it on the train; gather your dirties and lock in dirt and odour; place your wet flip-flops or dirty shoes in baggies; use them for shampoos, soaps, deodorants, creams and all other spillables. You can even put your cables in a ziplock, so they are easier to find in the depths of your pack. And you can thank me when you come back. By the way, I must give credit for the ziplock tip to this travel hacks article, which has loads of other ideas you might love.

I just mentioned shoes, so it’s a good time to advise you to bring at least two pairs. Why? —You my ask— they take up so much space! Well, because in some places fun water activities happen and so does rain. On that note, bring a raincoat! If yours is chunky, make it a dollar store poncho that can at least keep you dry while you sightsee.

A refillable water bottle can be a lifesaver. In most hostels water is free and clean. And you will want lots of it next to your bed after pubcrawl.

Pen and paper may seem like a thing of the past, but writing stuff down can be fantastic when your phone runs out of battery or when there is no wifi around.

I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest basic pharmacy stuff: aspirin, carbon pills (to stop a case of the runs), condoms, and band aids. Think of other stuff you may need but not find outside your home town… For example, last January I went to Cuba and got super congested as a result of the temperature change. I didn’t think to bring over the counter cold pills and learned (the hard way!) that tourists are not allowed to buy meds in Cuba. Long story short: I missed out on great diving and other outings.

First times only happen once

I always pack a travel towel. Some hostels may offer towels but some may not and in any case, it’s always good to have! Ultra-thin-super-fast-drying towels are not expensive and can be purchased at travel and camping stores, like MEC.

If you still don’t dare zip your luggage, this great article from a couple years back is still pertinent and will tell you exactly what not to pack.

Ask questions. Front desk staff is usually ultra knowledgeable and resourceful. Don’t be ashamed to ask anything or to bring them candy (why not!? They work hard!)

To learn more about what to expect during your trip, have a read at these short but very real universal truths about backpacking. And I don’t mean to give you homework or anything, but I also recommend you get started by reading our article about 10 basic rules of hostel etiquette. You’ll not only start to get a sense of what you are in for staying in dorms, but also what you need to know to not be hated by your roommates.

First times only happen once, so enjoy every second and Instagram the hell out of it (using the hashtag #BOBCANADA if you are travelling this country)!

Stay connected by receiving the latest news for HI Canada right in your mailbox.

Preferences

Hostel Deals and Offers

Member News and Discounts

Travel Tips and Stories

I agree to the Terms & Conditions

Email

Tell us about yourself and win prizes

We’d love to get to know you and hear about your travels. Be part of a global study and enter a draw to win your choice of one of the following: an Overnight in share room for one, One year HI Canada membership, or HI Canada swag.